Everyone is affected by the water crisis, but not everyone is affected equally. For Ajit, a 21-year-old student, just finding his way to the bathroom is a challenge. Ajit is partially sighted. His vision started deteriorating when he was four, and he is now almost totally blind. He is also a member of the Dalit community (formerly known as “Untouchables”), one of the most marginalised groups in Nepal and the lowest stratum of the South Asian caste system. Traditionally seen as “unclean”, Dalits face significant challenges when accessing essential resources and services, like water and education. Thus, for students like Ajit, access to water, sanitation and hygiene is concealed behind multiple, overlapping and mutually reinforcing layers of disability and discrimination.
Since 2017, The Beacon Project has sought to bring clean water to schools across Lahan, Nepal. This is Ajit’s story.
WaterAid is an international non-profit with one goal: to change the world through water. Along with decent toilets and good hygiene, a reliable supply of clean water is essential for health, dignity and a life full of opportunity. Childbirth is safer, children get the chance to grow up healthy and strong. Families thrive and whole communities are better prepared for our changing climate and whatever the future holds.
Today we work alongside communities worldwide setting up entire systems that deliver clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene for millions. And we get the people, policies and money in place to keep these systems working – and the water flowing for good. So that people have safe, reliable services that last. Together with our partners and supporters, we are working with determination towards the day when we are no longer needed.
We align with the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
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